Lionel Messi admits that he would rather bring more titles to Camp Nou than repeat his 72-goal season.

Despite contributing massively to the Catalan giants' cause last term, Barca failed to win the La Liga title or the Champions League, which is something he admits he keeps track of.

"It was an unforgettable season. I don't put goals and numbers on my seasons, although I think the more titles the better," explained Messi, speaking to ESPN Deportes. "At the beginning of the season I come out wanting everything, goals, titles, but a championship would be very desired by me."

The 25-year-old also spoke warmly of former manager Pep Guardiola, who upon his arrival to the club, kept their spirits high during a barren trophy-less spell.

"The morale in the dressing room was very bad, and he changed everything with his desire to win, his trust and his way of working. He treated every game the same," explained the Argentine. Follow GOAL.COM USA on Twitter

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Messi: I would rather win titles than score goals

ATLANTA--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

Tovbot (www.Tovbot.com), an Atlanta-based personal robotics startup competing in the TechCrunch Disrupt Startup Battlefield, announced its plan to bring Shimi, a robotic musical companion, to the masses via Kickstarter, a crowdsourcing platform that helps creative projects come to life. Developed by a team of roboticists from Georgia Tech, IDC Herzliya and the MIT Media Lab, Shimi is an intelligent robot that serves as both a high-quality speaker system and dance partner.

Shimi, appropriately named after the Shimmy dance move, is more than an appcessory, hes a robotic musical companion. Shimi loves to play and listen to music from a docked iPhone or iPod, then dance along with the beat and even create new, unique musical compositions. He also has the ability to react to humans, using advanced facial and speech recognition algorithms.

The Tovbot Kickstarter campaign will be used to transform the Shimi prototype into a product that can be mass manufactured and sold at an affordable price.

Kickstarter is the perfect platform to introduce Shimi to its audience of early adopters who are looking for both practical and novelty innovations, said Tovbot Co-Founder, Gil Weinberg. Were confident that Shimi will dance his way into everyones hearts as soon as they hear the sound he produces and see the moves he can make.

First and foremost, Shimi functions as a high-quality speaker dock with an optimized shape designed for ideal sound reproduction. Beyond producing the ultimate in sound, Shimi uses your iPhone as its brain, making it your own personal robotic musical companion. Shimi not only knows and understands music, but also knows and understands what moves you.

Once the music starts, Shimi takes the stage. Five strategically placed motors allow Shimi to dance to the beat of any song, with a variety of dance moves that fit the specific song and genre. As your musical companion, Shimi always knows where you are in the room and points the speakers toward you. He also responds to your voice, your taps, your gestures, learns your musical preferences and even recommends new music for you.

In a way, Shimi started out as an animated character. We worked to nail down his personality and then we transferred that into the robot, said Guy Hoffman, Chief Technology Officer. The result is that Shimi doesnt just play your music, he actually listens to it and enjoys it as much as you do.

To showcase the Shimi innovation, Tovbot was selected to participate in this weeks TechCrunch Disrupt event as a contender in the Startup Battlefield. Looking ahead, Shimis development team will continue to create new applications, including apps for gaming, education, music production, tele-presence and more.

Tovbots Shimi has a target availability of February 2013. Supporters can back the Kickstarter campaign immediately for just $149 to bring home their own Shimi robotic musical companion. Shimi was developed with support from the National Science Foundation, Georgia Tech, and IDC Herzliya. For more information on Tovbot or Shimi, visit http://www.Tovbot.com.

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Tovbot Launches Kickstarter Campaign for Shimi Robotic Musical Companion

Summary: Mint's founder asserts how important these APIs and reliable financial data is to spurring innovation for personal finance solutions.

Intuit is gearing up to open up its application programming interfaces to its financial data service in the United States and Canada for the first time ever.

The idea behind the open APIs is to spur innovation for developing new personal and small business finance applications from third-party developers.

Essentially, Intuit is offering resources to find what could be the next QuickBooks or Mint.com

The APIs will also offer developers with the opportunity to develop new tailored apps for their respective customers based on data from more than 19,000 sources of personal and business banking, brokerage and investment accounts in North America.

It's important to note that Intuit specifies that technology providers can only create solutions based on data given with customers' permission.

Aaron Patzer, founder of the Intuit-owned personal finance platform Mint, emphasized in prepared remarks about the importance of this kind of information being available to developers as access to reliable financial data is "among the biggest challenges developers face when working to innovate."

"These new APIs will accelerate the pace of development well see at startups looking to create new services for both individuals and businesses," Patzer continued.

The small business software provider asserts that this is a big move for the company as it is touted to be a win-win situation for both Intuit and its customer base. Specifically, customers should win thanks to more offerings tailored to them by leveraging data while Intuit is boasting to be improving the cost for developers seeking to access this data.

The open APIs to Intuits financial data service will start rolling out on a limited basis in October through the Intuit Partner Platform. Up until now, this platform has only offered QuickBooks data.

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Intuit opens up APIs to its financial data service in US, Canada

DUBLIN--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

Research and Markets (http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/vd4xxp/delivery_system_ha) has announced the addition of Elsevier Science and Technology's new report "Delivery System Handbook for Personal Care and Cosmetic Products. Technology, Applications and Formulations" to their offering.

Novel delivery systems designed to facilitate the use of fountain of youth and other functional actives is an idea whose time has come. In a rapidly growing global market eager for products that really work, accelerating market pull forces and technology push have set the stage for this foundation text.

This must have book has been carefully designed for training, development and synergistic technology transfer across the personal care, cosmetic and pharmaceutical industries. It is not only intended for scientists and technologists but will also be of high interest to market development and business personnel. This book will cause a breakthrough in effective interaction among technology and marketing.

It is a showcase for understanding, using and marketing the technology of why and how delivery systems work as well as current, emerging/potential applications and working formulations.

Each chapter is written by one or more experts in the field. A wide range of companies serving the global marketplace are represented. These companies offer numerous types of delivery systems containing highly desirable functional actives, delivery system technology development services, and opportunities for technology licensing, mergers and acquisitions.

A unique feature of the book is the use of Mind Map technology to capture and present the essence of the thinking of over 80 authors in a Book-at-a-Glance Executive Overview section.

This section has been specifically designed to empower decision making leading to the development of innovative product differentiation in a global context.

Key Topics Covered:

Introduction

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Research and Markets: Delivery System Handbook for Personal Care and Cosmetic Products. Technology, Applications and ...

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11-09-2012 10:38 Ohio University recently hired Deborah Gearhart to serve as Vice Provost of online learning and community college partnerships.

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11-09-2012 00:05 Education Online Program , Top online Education Guide line online Education Program Guide line

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Education online Program - Video

Wexford University Offers Online Education for Growing Number of International Students

Wexford University now offers more online programs for students across the world. The university offers a variety of online health, exercise, sports and fitness degree programs of all levels to both U.S. and international students.

International students can transfer credits from other universities or begin their college education online at Wexford, which is now accepting registration for classes beginning January 2013 at http://wexford.edu/.

Wexfords online classes in health, exercise and nutrition truly have a direct application and impact for students interested in earning a degree in these growing fields, said Jack Bauerle, Chancellor of Wexford University. We are happy to welcome more international students from China, Japan and around the world to Wexford, where they can earn an affordable, world-class, real-world education that they can use for the rest of their lives.

Wexford University offers degree programs including an associate of arts degree in Fitness Training, a bachelor of science degree in Health and Fitness, a master of science degree in Nutrition and Exercise, a master of arts in Applied Sports Psychology and a doctorate degree in Applied Sports Psychology.

To earn admission to Wexford University, international students must be 16 years of age or older, complete an online admissions form and send official transcripts from previous educational institutions. A 10 percent discount is available when tuition is paid in full upfront, and military personnel can also receive an additional 15 percent discount on tuition.

As interest in a U.S. education continues to grow, we welcome students from around the world to Wexford University, Bauerle added. You can complete a self-paced online program on your schedule, at your convenience, increasing your global earning power and marketability.

About Wexford University Wexford University is dedicated to providing world-class education through cutting-edge technology, offering direct application degree programs in an accelerated format with 100 percent online learning to save time and money. Programs include an associate of arts degree in Fitness Training, bachelors degree in Health and Fitness, masters degree in Nutrition and Exercise as well as masters degree and doctorate degree in Applied Sport Psychology. Wexford University is the higher education division of NESTA (National Exercise & Sports Trainers Association).For more information, please visit http://wexford.edu/.

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Wexford University Offers Online Education for Growing Number of International Students

Sept. 12, 2012, 4 a.m.

Accelerate team members Stephanie Umbers, Sophie Bellman, Tiarna Drake, Gaby Carty, Aylish Auchettl, Samantha Stewart, Sarah Hill and Emily Lacey are ready to take on the world titles.

WARRNAMBOOL teenagers bound for world aerobics titles next month are balancing a heavy training and study workload.

The eight girls, members of EKB Fitness and Aerobics, will head to Dordrecht, in the Netherlands, for the championships from October 15 to 21.

Coach Emma Bellman said the Accelerate team was doing well to handle its increased training schedule.

The team placed second in its junior fitness category at national titles in Adelaide in July with its racing-theme routine, qualifying it for world titles.

Before nationals they were doing two routine sessions a week, plus their own home programs, Bellman said.

Now theyre doing three routine sessions, two gym sessions and theyre doing their own gym work.

Thats down at Action (Indoor Sports Centre). Theyre a sponsor, so the girls can go any time they want, they can use what they want. Theyre doing around 10 hours a week, if not more.

Bellman said she was conscious of ensuring the training and study workload did not become too much for the team.

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Study and training a delicate balance for Warrnambool teenagers

BOSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

To recognize Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts (BCBSMA) 75th anniversary today, four local not-for-profits each received a $75,000 grant to promote nutrition education and access to healthy foods. The BCBSMA 75th Anniversary Grants were awarded to the Urban Food Initiative; Holyoke Food and Fitness Policy Council; Project Bread in partnership with Lynn Economic Opportunity, Inc.; and Boston Natural Areas Network.

For 75 years, Blue Cross has maintained a deep commitment to improving health outcomes and the quality of life for residents of the Commonwealth, said Andrew Dreyfus, President and CEO of BCBSMA. Many families continue to face financial hardship as a result of the economic downturn. With growing demand and shrinking resources, the safety-net services they turn to are severely strained. The BCBSMA 75th Anniversary Grants will help advance critical programs in the communities at greatest risk.

The four not-for-profit organizations were selected after a competitive process challenging them to develop programs to improve the lives of struggling families with children school-aged or younger in Massachusetts. Each organization takes a unique approach to advancing the health and nutrition of families facing economic hardship throughout the state.

Boston Natural Areas Network

This important grant from Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts enables us to expand community gardening in Boston, said Valerie Burns, President of Boston Natural Areas Network. We can now engage even more people in the shared purpose of growing fresh local food, being physically active and building stronger, healthier neighborhoods.

Holyoke Food and Fitness Policy Council

"Blue Cross support makes the Holyoke Kindergarten Initiative possible, said Anne Cody, Kindergarten Initiative Coordinator for the Holyoke Food and Fitness Policy Council. Here in Holyoke there is a large Latino population with strong preferences for culturally-familiar produce. Thanks to Blue Cross we can tie the students' cultural backgrounds to local farming and healthy eating, which is an excellent approach to real and meaningful dietary preferences. We can't thank Blue Cross enough for making the Holyoke Kindergarten Initiative a full, delicious adventure in local food and farming - kids learn better when they eat better!

Project Bread in partnership with Lynn Economic Opportunity, Inc.

Were pleased to partner with the Lynn Economic Opportunity Head Start program to introduce young children and their parents to healthy eating in an appealing and affordable way by bringing a trained culinary chef into the program, said Ellen Parker, Executive Director of Project Bread. This generous grant from Blue Cross helps us extend the successful work weve done in low-income schools to some of the youngest and most vulnerable children in the state.

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Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts Awards $75,000 Grants to Four Local Not-for-Profits to Advance Health and ...

67 WALL STREET, New York - September 4, 2012 - The Wall Street Transcript has just published its Retail Report offering a timely review of the sector to serious investors and industry executives. This special feature contains expert industry commentary through in-depth interviews with public company CEOs, Equity Analysts and Money Managers. The full issue is available by calling (212) 952-7433 or via The Wall Street Transcript Online.

Topics covered: Brick-And-Mortar Versus Online Retail Sales - Cautious Consumer Spending - Specialty Hardlines and Softlines Retail - Strong Secular Growth in E-Commerce - International Retail Platforms

Companies include: Under Armour, Inc. (UA), Nike Inc. (NKE), Lululemon Athletica Inc. (LULU), Dick's Sporting Goods Inc. (DKS), Amazon.com Inc. (AMZN) and many others.

In the following excerpt from the Retail Report, Piper Jaffray's Health and Wellness research analyst discusses the outlook for this unique investment category:

TWST: What is your retail coverage?

Mr. Naughton: My coverage universe is a little unique. I cover what we have termed active and healthy lifestyles. I have two relatively distinct sets of stocks that I follow. The one side focuses on organic and natural foods as well as the supplement business, which I would consider the health and wellness side, and then the second part is the active lifestyle side, which would be more focused on sporting goods as well as active apparel and active footwear. There are also some other pieces in here for fitness clubs that fit into the active side as well.

TWST: Are the active lifestyle and organic and natural foods/supplement spaces seeing the same kinds of trends right now, or are they experiencing two distinctly different situations?

Mr. Naughton: It's interesting. The active lifestyle space, in my opinion, is a category where the consumer is continuing to spend more money. I think that the fusion of fashion and function is well underway with what we've seen from apparel and footwear growth from Under Armour (UA), Nike (NKE), Lululemon (LULU) and those types of names. These are all companies that are clearly benefiting from trends within this entire lifestyle and the next leg of that growth is those brands continuing to offer the types of products that they do today with better fits, but also now introducing more technology. So whether it is chips inside of shoes or tracking on shirts to monitor heart rates inside of your body, I think those are the types of initiatives that will continue to drive innovation in that category and continue to drive share of wallet with the consumer.

TWST: What about with youth sports? Are sporting goods companies benefiting from that area as well?

For more from this interview and many others visit the Wall Street Transcript - a unique service for investors and industry researchers - providing fresh commentary and insight through verbatim interviews with CEOs, portfolio managers, and research analysts. This special issue is available by calling (212) 952-7433 or via The Wall Street Transcript Online.

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Real Growth Rates Accelerating for Health and Wellness Stocks: Piper Jaffray Expert Analyst Identifies Hot Investment ...